Arthur's Point of View

Helmsforth Temple

My chest heaved rapidly as I tried to calm down. Moving over to the sword made of Demon Stone angrily, my freehand yanked it out of the ground. Examining it for a moment left me little satisfaction. A sword made of one of the strongest metals in Crevalis. Yet, it paled in comparison to Defiance. Regardless, the sword shook in my hand for a moment until I felt someone tug on my shirt gently.

As I turned, Cassidy stood there looking at me desperately. “Arthur. Ya need ta check on Grandpa Reed.” She slowly gestured to where he was still covered in wax. “He’s hurt real bad.” Her hands were shaking.

Putting Defiance on my back, I slowly removed her hand from my shirt. “I’m sorry, Cass.”

Moving away from her only got her to run in front of me and grab my shirt more forcefully. “Please. Please. Please!” She became more and more frantic.

“Cassidy.” Putting down the other sword, my hands found hers. “Your grandfather is dead. So is Aien. There is nothing I can do.”

Ayda was the one who shouted at me. “But you healed me! Your magic is powerful enough to-“

“They’re already dead, Ayda.” I cut her off and gestured to her mother. “Your mother, Aydalia, is not. Focus on her.” Lowering Cassidy’s hands, I saw her lips tremble as tears streamed down her face. “I’m sorry. I never should’ve expected any of you to defend yourselves.” My eyes glanced at Arceana and Elincia, who winced at my statement.

I saw Dryritt moving over to me slowly, and Lucia finally stood up. “We need to talk.” The Dragon told me.

Closing my eyes, a sigh escaped my lips. “I’m well aware. If you don’t want to stay here, feel free to use my home for the moment. I have a few things I need to take care of.” He nodded, and I gestured off one side of the mountain top as I opened my eyes. “On the outskirts is a mansion. It’s the only one. You can’t miss it. Help yourself to any food and or beverages.”

“Are you sure you don’t need help?” He inquired. “While I am not a fan of Lestrania, if you ask, we would be willing to aid in the recovery process.”

Shaking my head, I answered. “That’s not your responsibility.” With a small head gesture towards the Priestesses, I picked up the Demon Stone sword once more. “It’s theirs.”

Dryritt was quiet for a moment. “None of us could do anything.” He informed me. “That old man and those two Elves are rather impressive for being able to respond the way they did.” I didn’t say anything as I continued to stare at him. “I just thought you should know.” He then gestured to Lucia. “They died saving her.” The High Elf in question looked at him as he kept his gaze focused on me. “How much did they know about you?”

Taking a deep breath, my frown deepened. “Enough. I should be back in a day or two.”

He nodded. “We will wait for you.” With a signal to the others, he took to the air and flew off.

Cassidy was just standing in front of me, broken, while I looked at Lucia. Part of me couldn’t stand to figure out just how bad Augustus’s wounds were. It was wax. Hot wax. That told me all I needed to know. However, I could feel an ache in my chest while Lucia just looked at me. Reed knew exactly what he was doing when he saved her. The question was, did Aydalia and Aien?

“Arthu-“ Lucia began, but I cut her off as I turned around to the Priestesses.

“Arceana. Elincia.” Both sisters looked at me. “I will be gone for a few days.”

Many seemed uneasy about that. “Where will you go?” Elincia asked.

“To find some answers. Make sure Rudnurth can’t escape while I’m gone.” She nodded.

“I don’t think you should leave!” Lucia said quickly.

“I’m coming back.” I told her and moved past Cassidy as I summoned a portal.

Typhon was watching me, as was almost everyone else, but everything had gone so wrong. “Can I come with you?” My student inquired.

Shaking my head, I replied. “Not this time, and stay away from my home until I return.” Turning towards Greigh, he had his gaze focused on me. “Captain, I’ll also want to talk with you when I return.”

A voice cut him off before he could reply. “Cass!” Austin’s voice cut in.

Opening a portal, I left. Part of me was ashamed that I ran, but I didn’t want to see the look on that poor boy’s face. Cassidy told me he was in the Temple since they were all summoned. However, he was a little too young and was just waiting for the meeting to finish.

Either way, I didn’t have a lot of time. Answers were desperately needed, and there were only three options. One was Rudnurth, which wasn’t very realistic. I’m honestly not sure if I could get through an entire conversation without trying to kill him. He distracted me enough that Graham was able to run back to the Temple. It didn’t matter in the end, though. The other Demon is the one that killed Aien, Reed, and horribly maimed Aydalia.

My other two options were both long shots. I could go to the heart and hope that I was able to find some answers there. Although, that came with seeing my three guardians and the remnants of Aydan. Considering I just failed someone from his family, married into or not, they still died because of my faith in others. This killed whatever faith I had left in others for the coming storm. I was still holding out hope that they’d be competent enough to help me prepare.

That left me only one choice. “I hope you’re still alive, you fuckin bear…” I whispered as I appeared deep within a forest.